Flat Bed Tarping System

ABSTRACT

A tarpaulin or tarping system for covering loads on flatbed trailers. Said tarping system includes retractable tarps of various lengths, for instance, 5 ft., 10 ft., or 20 ft. lengths that are affixed to the cut-outs of the flatbed and then stretched across the load. These tarps can be placed adjacent to each other along the length of the flatbed, or placed on opposing sides of the flatbed, or placed across the width of the flatbed to ensure maximum overlap of the tarps and full coverage of the load.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A tarpaulin or tarping system for covering loads on flatbed trailers. Said tarping system includes retractable tarps of various widths, for instance, 5 ft., 10 ft., or 20 ft. that are affixed to the cut-outs of the flatbed, stretched across the load, and then the leading edge is attached to the flatbed. These tarps can be placed adjacent to each other along the length of the flatbed, placed on opposing sides of the flatbed, or placed across the width of the flatbed to ensure maximum overlap of the tarps and full coverage of the load.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the problems with the current tarping systems for flatbed trailers is that they are cumbersome for an individual to operate. These systems generally extend the length of the flatbed trailer and if manually operated must be cranked or pulled over the load it is to cover. Automatic systems are also possible but fail to reduce the work required by the operator. Some methods have been developed such that a series of ribs or support structure affixed to the flatbed over which the tarp is pulled to make the covering process easier, however, this still requires the installation and removal of the ribs or support structure for each load.

In U.S. Pat. No. 8,454,076, Bourcier et al., discloses cover for a flatbed which comprises a support structure over which a tarp is placed, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure.

In U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,424, Damsi et al., discloses a modular bow system for creating a frame over a flatbed, over which a tarp is placed, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a modular bow system.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,117, Henning, discloses tarp tensioning system to be used with a tarp pulled over a bow system, whereas the present disclosure involves a tarp system with a retraction mechanism that does not requires tensioning or a bow system.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,790, Johnston, discloses a system and method for covering and uncovering a trailer comprising supports adapted to be operatively connected to the ends of a trailer to position a roller with a cover attached thereto so that the cover can cover the load, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure.

In U.S. Pat. No. 8,047,600, Leblanc et al., discloses a retractable tarp cover and a plurality of U shaped bows over which the tarp is placed, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure.

In U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,017, Leblanc et al., discloses a sidewall panel and tarp system for flatbed trailers, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require sidewalls to be constructed on the trailer.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,709, Parker., discloses a drive-through work station that automatically covers a flatbed trailer with a tarp, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure, can be easily operated by an individual and is significantly less expensive.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,833, Petelka, discloses a combination of end members and support members that create a structure over which a tarp can be placed, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure.

In U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,240, Stevenson et al., discloses a frame and tarp combination that is assembled on the ground and then placed over the load on a flatbed with the use of a forklift, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load on the flatbed and does not require a support structure or the use of a forklift to place the structure on the flatbed.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,425,030, Warner, discloses a method of covering variable size loads on a flatbed involving posts affixed to the corners of the flatbed connected at the apex of the posts by a series of cables to create a rectangular cable structure along which the tarp is pulled from the front of the trailer to its rear by a pulley system, whereas the present disclosure allows for multiple tarps to be used to cover a load and does not require a support structure or pulley system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tarping assembly that can be made in various widths such that the assembly can be affixed to a flatbed trailer and an individual can then extend the tarp from the assembly over a load on the trailer and affix the leading edge of said tarp to another location on the flatbed, thus covering all or a portion of a load. Once the leading edge of the tarp is detached from the trailer, the retracting mechanism of the tarping assembly retracts the tarp, allowing the tarping assembly to be easily removed from the flatbed. The width of said tarping assembly is variable at the discretion of the user.

In one preferred embodiment, the normal tarp, the width tarp being extended form the tarping system is approximately the width of the tarping system.

In a second preferred embodiment, the left extended tarp, the width of the tarp is longer than the tarping system where the tarp is attached to the tarping system so that, when extended, the left side of the tarp can be folded out from the tarp to extend beyond the length of the tarping system to guarantee overlap between tarping systems, and prior to retracting the tarp, the left side that extends beyond the length of the tarping system can be folded back over the main portion of the tarp to allow the whole tarp to then be retracted into the tarping system.

In a third preferred embodiment, the right extended tarp, the width of the tarp is longer than the tarping system where the tarp is attached to the tarping system so that, when extended, the right side of the tarp can be folded out from the tarp to extend beyond the length of the tarping system to guarantee overlap between tarping systems, and prior to retracting the tarp, the right side that extends beyond the length of the tarping system can be folded back over the main portion of the tarp to allow the whole tarp to then be retracted into the tarping system.

In a fourth preferred embodiment, the dual extended tarp, the width of the tarp is longer than the tarping system where the tarp is attached to the tarping system so that, when extended, the left and right sides of the tarp can be folded out from the tarp to extend beyond the length of the tarping system to guarantee overlap between tarping systems, and prior to retracting the tarp, the left and right sides that extend beyond the length of the tarping system can be folded back over the main portion of the tarp to thus allow the whole tarp to then be retracted into the tarping system.

The retracting mechanism has multiple embodiments including a manual cranking means, a motorized cranking means, a redundant system with a manual cranking means and a motorized cranking means, and a spring and ratchet means.

AMENDED BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a view of the tarping system and its components with a manual cranking means as the retracting mechanism;

FIG. 2A is a view of the left end member and its components;

FIG. 2B is a view of the right end member and its components;

FIG. 3 is a view of the tarping system and includes a perspective where the tarp is approximately the width of the central axis, the normal tarp;

FIG. 4 is a view of a tarp relative to the central axis, which shows a tarp that is wider than the length of the central axis, where the overlap extends beyond the left end of the central axis and displays a plurality of cuts into the left overlap, a left extended tarp;

FIG. 5 is a view of a tarp relative to the central axis, which shows a tarp that is wider than the length of the central axis, where the overlap extends beyond the right end of the central axis and displays a plurality of cuts into the right overlap, a right extended tarp;

FIG. 6 is a view of a tarp relative to the central axis, which shows a tarp that is wider than the length of the central axis, where the overlap extends beyond the left and right ends of the central axis and displays a plurality of cuts into the right overlap, a dual extended tarp;

FIG. 7 is a view of the tarping system attached to a flatbed trailer while looking at the back end of a flatbed trailer;

FIG. 8A is a depiction of the retracting mechanism as a manual cranking means;

FIG. 8B is a depiction of the retracting mechanism as a motorized cranking means;

FIG. 8C is a depiction of the retracting mechanism as a redundant system with a manual cranking means and a motorized cranking means;

FIG. 8D is a depiction of the retracting mechanism as a spring and ratchet means;

FIG. 9 is a view of the tarping system and its components with a motorized cranking means as the retracting mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a view of the tarping system and its components with a redundant system with a manual cranking means and a motorized cranking means as the retracting mechanism; and

FIG. 11 is a view of the tarping system and its components with a spring and ratchet means as the retracting mechanism.

AMENDED DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A tarping system 1 for use in covering a load on flatbed trailer 2 comprising a central axis 3, a left end member 4, a right end member 5, a cross member 6, a tarp 7, a plurality of anchor points 8, a retracting mechanism 9, a plurality of attaching means 10, and a stopping means 11.

The left end member 4 has a left back edge 12, a left front edge 13, a left top edge 14, a left bottom edge 15, a left interior face 16 and a left exterior face 17. The right end member 5 as a right back edge 18, a right front edge 19, a right top edge 20, a right bottom edge 21, a right interior face 22 and a right exterior face 23. The central axis 3 is a circular shaft with a left end 24 a right end 25. The left end 24 of the central axis 3 is attached to the left interior face 16 of the left end member 4 in such a fashion to allow the central axis 3 to wind and unwind. The right end 25 of the central axis 3 is attached to the right interior face 22 of the right end member 5 in such a fashion to allow the central axis 3 to wind and unwind. The cross member 6 has a left end of the cross member 26 and a right end of the cross member 27 and a length 48. The left end of the cross member 26 is attached to the left back edge 12 of the left end member 4. The right end of the cross member 27 is attached to the right back edge 18 of the right end member 5. Along the length 48 of the cross member 6 are attached a plurality of anchor points 8. The plurality of anchor points 8 are used to attach the tarping system to the flatbed trailer 2.

The tarp 7 has an attached edge 28, which is attached along the central axis 3 by a plurality of attachment means 46, a leading edge 29, which is the edge opposite the attached edge 28, a top 30, a bottom 31, a left length 32 located along the left edge of the tarp 7 if viewed from the attached edge 28 facing the leading edge 29 with the top 30 of the tarp 7 facing up, and a right length 33 located along the right edge of the tarp 7 if viewed from the attached edge 28 facing the leading edge 29 with the top 30 of the tarp 7 facing up. Along the leading edge 29 are a plurality of attaching means 10 to attach the tarp 7 to the flatbed trailer 2. In one embodiment, the tarp 7 also has a plurality of fastening means 34 so that one tarp 7 may be attached to an adjacent tarp 7.

The retracting mechanism 9 is attached to central axis 3 and facilitates the winding of the tarp 7 around the central axis 3. The stopping means 11 is attached to either the left exterior face 17 of the left end member 4 or the right exterior face 23 of the right end member 5 and once engaged prevents the central axis 3 from further rotating.

When the tarping system 1 is attached to the flatbed trailer 2, the leading edge 29 of the tarp 7 can be unrolled from the tarping system 1, pulled over all or a portion of the load 35 on the flatbed trailer 2 and then the leading edge 29 of the tarp 7 can be attached to the flatbed trailer 2 so that the load 35 is covered. Before removing the load 35, the tarp 7 can be removed by detaching the leading edge 29 of the tarp 7 from the trailer 2 and activating the retracting mechanism 9. The retracting mechanism 9 then rolls the tarp 7 around the central axis 3. The tarping system 1 can then be removed from the flatbed trailer 2.

The first preferred embodiment of the tarp 7, known as the normal tarp 36, the normal tarp 36 is approximately the same width as the central axis 3.

The second preferred embodiment of the tarp 7, known as the left extended tarp 37, the left extended tarp 37 is wider than the central axis 3 is long so that there would be a left overlap 38, which extends beyond the left end of the central axis 3. In this instance, there are a plurality of cuts 47 into the left overlap 38 to facilitate the left overlap 38 being folded over the main body of the left extended tarp 37 so that the left extended tarp 37 can be rolled up onto the central axis 3.

The third preferred embodiment of the tarp 7, known as the right extended tarp 39, the right extended tarp 39 is wider than the central axis 3 is long so that there would be a right overlap 40, which extends beyond the right end of the central axis 3. In this instance, there are a plurality of cuts 47 into the right overlap 40 to facilitate the right overlap 40 being folded over the main body of the right extended tarp 39 so that the right extended tarp 39 can be rolled up onto the central axis 3.

The fourth preferred embodiment of the tarp 7, known as the dual extended tarp 41, the dual extended tarp 41 is wider than the central axis 3 is long so that there is a left overlap 38 and a right overlap 40. In this instance, there are a plurality of cuts 47 into left overlap 38 and the right overlap 40 to facilitate the left overlap 38 and the right overlap 40 being folded over the main body of the dual extended tarp 41 so that and the dual extended tarp 41 can be rolled up onto the central axis 3.

In the first preferred embodiment of the retracting mechanism 9 is a manual cranking means 42 that facilitates the tarp 7 being wrapped around the central axis 3.

The second preferred embodiment of the retracting mechanism 9 is a motorized cranking means 43 that facilitates the tarp 7 being wrapped around the central axis 3.

The third preferred embodiment of the retracting mechanism 9 is a redundant system 44 with a manual cranking means 42 and a motorized cranking means 43 that facilitates the tarp 7 being wrapped around the central axis 3.

The fourth preferred embodiment of the retracting mechanism 9 is a spring and ratchet means 45 that facilitates the tarp 7 being wrapped around the central axis 3. 

What is claimed:
 1. A tarping system for covering a load on a flatbed trailer comprising a central axis, a left end member, a right end member, a cross member that extends from left end member to the right end member, a plurality of anchor points affixed to the cross member, a retracting mechanism, tarp, a stopping means, and a plurality of attaching means; said left end member having a left back edge, a left front edge, a left top edge, a left bottom edge, a left interior face and a left exterior face; said right end member having a right back edge, a right front edge, a right top edge, a right bottom edge, a right interior face and a right exterior face; said central axis having a left end, a right end and a circular length, where the left end of the central axis being affixed to the left interior face of the left end member and the right end of the central axis being affixed to the right interior face of the right end member in such a manner as to allow said central axis to rotate in a direction perpendicular to the length of the central axis, to wind and unwind; said cross member having a left end of the cross member, a right end of the cross member and a length such the that left end of the cross member is attached to the left back edge of the left end member and the right end of the cross member is attached to the right back edge of the right end member; said tarp having an attached edge, a leading edge, a top, a bottom, a left length located along the left edge of the tarp if viewed from the attached edge facing the leading edge with the top of the tarp facing up, a right length located along the right edge of the tarp if viewed from the attached edge facing the leading edge with the top of the tarp facing up; said attached edge of said tarp being affixed to said central axis such that the length of said attached edge is affixed to the length of said central axis by a plurality of attachment means; said plurality of anchor points being affixed to the cross member such that they attach the cross member to the flatbed; said retracting mechanism being attached to the central axis in order to cause the central axis to rotate and cause the tarp to be rolled around the central axis; said stopping means, when engaged, being used to prevent the central axis from rotating; and said plurality of attaching means are attached along the leading edge of the tarp to attach the leading edge of the tarp to the flatbed.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. The tarping system of claim 1 in which the retracting mechanism includes a manual cranking means that allows the central axis to be rotated to cause the tarp to be rolled around said central axis.
 11. The tarping system of claim 1 in which the retracting mechanism includes a motorized cranking means that allows the central axis to be rotated to cause the tarp to be rolled around said central axis.
 12. The tarping system of claim 2, 1 in which the retracting mechanism includes a manual cranking means and motorized cranking means that allows the central axis to be rotated to cause the tarp to be rolled around said central axis.
 13. The tarping system of claim1 1 in which the retracting mechanism includes a spring and ratchet means that allows the central axis to be rotated to cause the tarp to be rolled around said central axis.
 14. The tarping system of claim 10 where the width of said tarp, as defined by the length of the attached edge, is approximately the width of the central axis.
 15. The tarping system of claim 14 where there are a plurality of fastening means along the left length and right length of in order that the tarp may be fastened to an adjacent tarp.
 16. The tarping system of claim 10 where the width of said tarp, as defined by the length of the attached edge, is greater than the length of the central axis, where said tarp attaches to the central axis starting from the far right end of the attached edge and said tarp extends beyond the length of the central axis to create a left overlap, said tarp being known as a left extended tarp; and where the left overlap has a plurality of cuts to aid in the folding of the left overlap over the main body of the left extended tarp to facilitate rolling the left extended tarp around the central axis.
 17. The tarping system of claim 16 where there are a plurality of fastening means along the left length and right length of in order that the tarp may be fastened to an adjacent tarp.
 18. The tarping system of claim 10 where the width of said tarp, as defined by the length of the attached edge, is greater than the length of the central axis, where said tarp attaches to the central axis starting from the far left end of the attached edge and said tarp extends beyond the length of the central axis to create a right overlap, said tarp being known as a right extended tarp; and where the right overlap has a plurality of cuts to aid in the folding of the right overlap over the main body of the right extended tarp to facilitate rolling the right extended tarp around the central axis.
 19. The tarping system of claim 18 where there are a plurality of fastening means along the left length and right length of in order that the tarp may be fastened to an adjacent tarp.
 20. The tarping system of claim 10 where the width of said tarp, as defined by the length of the attached edge, is greater than the length of the central axis, where said tarp attaches to the central axis starting a ways in from the far right end of the attached edge and said tarp extends beyond the length of the central axis to create a left overlap and a right overlap, said tarp being known as a dual extended tarp; and where the left overlap has a plurality of cuts to aid in the folding of the left overlap over the main body of the dual extended tarp to facilitate rolling the dual extended tarp around the central axis; and where the right overlap has a plurality of cuts to aid in the folding of the right overlap over the main body of the dual extended tarp to facilitate rolling the dual extended tarp around the central axis;
 21. The tarping system of claim 20 where there are a plurality of fastening means along the left length and right length of in order that the tarp may be fastened to an adjacent tarp. 